What was changed on the car this past winter?
"A lot of things were changed in the off-season, starting with the rear spoiler which is now more substantial. Some love it, some hate it. They just have to get used to it (laughs). It makes the car faster and that's the most important thing. The other big plus is the change of tyres. The car is doing well but we still have a few small concerns we will need to resolve. I hope we'll be good at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We shall see."

The first round at Silverstone was difficult…
"Yes, indeed. In qualifying, we had to compete with rain tyres and low temperatures. I think that was the case for everyone but for us, we were well behind the best LM GTE Pros. There was nothing to be done and we were quite worried going into the race Sunday. We did a great race, both the drivers and all the team members. We claimed a podium finish, which represented a real victory for us relative to what had happened the day before."

Note that Nicki Thiim and his teammates were forced to retire at the WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps after the Dane was struck by an LM P2…

With only a few weeks before the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this circuit carries a good memory for you since you won here in the LM GTE Am class in 2014 (in an Aston Martin V8 Vantage with David Heinemeier Hansson and Kristian Poulsen)…
"That win is very important to me. It's simply a dream that became a reality. Le Mans is such a special place, with such a unique atmosphere. The week leading into the race is long. One must experience it to understand what this race is. It is THE race everyone wants to win."

What are your goals for the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans?
"This year, we have a good package and driver line-up. Aston Martin has worked well on the car. There's one less car than last year, which will allow us to focus more on the remaining cars. At Le Mans, one can show up as well-prepared as possible but during this race anything can happen, you never know what will go on. As evidenced by the preceding editions in LM P1 for example."

Every season, Aston Martin figures among the favourites but doesn't win. What's missing?
"I don't know, to be honest (smiles). Aston Martin worked even more this winter. Our driver line-up is truly solid, very fast, with a lot of experience. We have reached a new milestone, I hope it will be enough this time, I am confident in this 2016 season."

The car was modified this past winter, as you have said, as required by the regulations. What do you think of the regulation changes? Are they headed in the right direction?
"I truly believe they are headed in the right direction as shown by simply looking at the timesheets with such narrow gaps and various marques in different positions. Between Ford, Ferrari, Porsche and us, you're often talking in terms of half-second. The Balance of Performances is good currently. All the teams are doing excellent work, Ford is coming with a new car, the manufacturers are pushing a great deal. The new cars are fantastic. Every year, a new level is reached. That's good, as a driver and also for the technical team, to see that things are progressing. Meanwhile, we have reached the limit in terms of aerodynamic downforce, for example. We shouldn't go down the same road as the prototypes. The level and battles are so great in LM GTE Pro, the difference between the cars is so small, it's wheel to wheel. I only want it to continue as such."

David Bristol / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

PHOTO: STAVELOT (LIEGE PROVINCE, BELGIUM), SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS CIRCUIT, FIA WEC, WEC 6 HOURS OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, SATURDAY MAY 7 2016, AUTOGRAPH SESSION. Nicki Thiim cherishes his victory at the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LM GTE Am class, already with Aston Martin Racing.